Conveyer belt element forming machine



May 23, 1933. J. c. ANDERSON CONVEYER BELT ELEMENT FORMING MACHINE FiledMarch 25, 1932 i ceases,

Patented May 23, 1933 ATENT rice Implication 'avention relates to adevice for forming wire coils of the type which when assembled togetherform a conveyer belt, such for as those used in glassware annealing evng the glass articles to be anough the tunnel type annealing "i he useof such belts is generally illusthe Mulholland Patent 1,560,481,

91 nted l'lov. 3, 1925. The particular belt formed of the coil which isillustrated as being made by the machine shown in the accompanyingdrawing and described hereinafter, however, forms the subject matter ofmv copending application, Serial No.

"ilcd Mar. 23, 1932, the present invention being confined to the machineby which coils of wire for this novel belt or other types of wire coilsmay be made.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide a simple,cheap and effective device by which wire coils for conveyer belts orother uses may be easily and cheaply made.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide in amachine of the character described a means for forming at least one, andin the illustrated embodiment of the invention, two portions of eachturn of the wire forming the coil into a peculiar predeterminedconfiguration, such means ineluding an abutment means and one or morepositively operated pusher members by which the desired predeterminedshape may be imparted to the portion or portions of the wire coil beingmade.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a device ofthe character described a simple and effective means by which the pitchof wire coils being formed may be a dj u stably determined.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will become apparentfrom a reading of the following specification and sub-joined claims whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

ig. 2 is a front elevation of the device 1 with par-ts broken away andin N1 ItIACI-IINE Selial No. 800,602.

3 is an end elevation as seen from the left of Figs. 1 and 2; and

Fig. 4L is a fragmentary view of a portion conveyer belt made up ofcoils formed by the machine shown in Figs. 1 to 8. 55

As shown in the accompanying drawing, the machine comprises a base 1upon which is a standard 2 which may be integral therewith and whichcarries a bearing for a shaft 3 which in turn carries a mandrel 4, themandrel being secured thereto in any suitable manner as by thecountersunk rivets 5. As shown the mandrel is tapered toward its freeend (the left as seen in Figs. 1 and 2) to provide clearance at the endfrom which the coil is removed as it is formed. The shaft 3 andconsequently the mandrel 4 carried rigidly thereby are adaptedto bedriven in the direction of the arrows by any suitable power means (notshown). Wire from any suitable supply is conducted to the machine, asillustrated at 6, it being assumed that the wire is maintained under theproper tension by any desired means which may be of wellknown character.Thus as the mandrel 4: is rotated in the direction of the arrows in theseveral figures, the wire will be wound thereon.

Suitably secured to the base 1, as by bolts 7, is a standard 8 whichcarries a pivot pin 9 for an abutment member 10 which cooperates withthe wire being wound upon the mandrel 4. The abutment 10 is continuouslyurged to move about its pivot toward the mandrel by a suitable resilientmeans, here illustrated as a tension spring 11, extending between a pin12 fined to the abutment member 10 at its upper end and a suitableanchorage, here illustrated as a hool: 13, at its lower end.

The mandrel 4 is shaped according to the form of coil to be made and asshown is flattened on each side in order to make a flattened coil. Inthe event that any non-circular mandrel is used, it is necessary thatthe abutment member 10 have a movement substan tially as shown in orderthat it may cooperate at all times with the mandrel and contact at alltimes with at least a part of each turn of the wire being wound thereon.This movement need not be pivotal as illustrated,

however. The abutment member 10 is provided with a recessed portion 14as illustrated, in order that it may contact with the mandrel at at alltimes and particularly upon the initial turning over of the mandrel, andprior to the action of the pusher, later to be described, and notinterfere with the last made coil portion.

In order to push the formed coil of wire outwardly along the mandrel andalso to form portions thereof into predetermined shape against theabutment 10, there is provided one or more pushers rotatable with themandrel, in the present instance two being shown, cooperablerespectively with the flattened sides of the mandrel l in order to formthe coil shown in the instant drawing. The form of abutment and pushermembers illustrated are such that the portions of each turn lying alongthe flattened sides of the mandrel will be perpendicular to a planecontaining the axis of rotation of the mandrel, although other forms maybe made by using a suitably shaped abutment member and complementaryshaped pusher member or members. The form of coil made by the deviceillustrated, and consequently of conveyer belt, is illustrated in Fig.A, although it is to be understood that the present invention is notlimited in its utility to the formation of this type only of wire coil.As illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the shaft 3 is provided witha pair of flattened faces 15 and 16 parallel to its axis of rotation.Pusher members 17 and 18 are arranged against these faces forlongitudinal sliding movement with respect to the shaft 3. Asillustrated (Fig. 2) the left hand or operating ends of the pushermembers 17 and 18 are turned inwardly or formed with inward projectionsextending toward the axis of rotation of the shaft 3 and into slidingengagement with the flattened faces of the mandrel A, the inner ends ofthese projections being suitably shaped to cooperate with the abutmentmember 10 to engage between these parts the last portion 19 of the turnof wire being formed so that this portion 19 will be engaged between thelower end of one of the pushers, in this case the pusher l7, and thelower edge of the abutment member 10. The pushers 17 and 18 are held inplace upon the shaft 3 by a'suitable sleeve-like member 20 whichsurrounds the narrowed and squared end portion of the shaft 3, and alsothe pusher members 17 and 18, and is secured in position by a cross pin21, which may be riveted, threaded or keyed in place to hold the partsin assembled relation.

At their ends opposite the active pushing ends (the right hand ends asseen in Figs. 1 and 2), the pusher members 17 and 18 are provided withsector cams 22 and 23 respectively which may be integral therewith.Cooperable with both these cams is a roller 24 mounted upon a verticallydisposed pintle 25 secured in a bracket 26, which may be suitablysecured as by a bolt 27 to the standard 2. Thus, as the shaft 3 isrotated in the direction of the arrows, the inclined cam surface 28 ofthe cam sector 22 will be engaged by the roller 24 forcing the pusher 17to the left, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the first movement beingoperative to force the formed coil of wire outwardly along the mandrel adistance equal to half the pitch of the wire, and continued movementbeing effective to form the portion 19 of the wire into the desiredconfiguration by squeezing it between the end of the pusher l7 and theabutment 10. Thereafter, and for a material portion of the rotation ofthe mandrel 4:, the pusher 17 will be maintained in its forward positionby the cooperation of the roller 2% with the flat face 29 of the cam 22,the face 29 lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of otation of theshaft 3. During this time the abutment 10 will be at all times inengagement with the mandrel 4, and also with the wire being woundthereon at some place, although this engagement may be with but a smallpart of the wire. Also during this time the abutment 10 will be moved ina counterclockwise direction about its pivot pin 9, as seen in Fig. 3,due to the rotation of the mandrel 4 and the non-circular configurationthereof. As the next flattened face of the mandrel 4 is brought towardthe uppermost position, and the pusher 18 approaches its top position,the abutment 10 will be moved clockwise, as seen in Fig. 3, by thespring 11.

In order to retract the pusher members 17 and 18 there are providedresilient means comprising compression springs 30 and 31 disposed insuitable bores or recesses in the sleeve-like member 20 and bearingagainst the sector cam portions 22 and 23 of the pushers 17 and 18respectively.

In order adj ustably to determine the pitch of the wire, there isprovided a wire guiding bracket 32 against one vertical face 33 of whichthe wire passes. This bracket is adjustably secured to the base 1 in anydesired manner as by providing the horizontal web of the bracket withelongate slots 34, through which bolts 35 may pass, the bolts beingthreaded into the base 1. Thus, as each part 19 of each turn of wire isformed by the conjoint action of the pusher 17 or 18 and the abutment10, the wire is given an angular bend toward the direction of its axis,as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, so that due to the continued rotationof the mandrel l, the coil will be formed in desired shape as shown.Inasmuch as the pushers are always moved outward to the same position,the position of the bracket member 32 will determine the pitch of thecoil being formed, this being adjustable by properly adjusting thebracket 32 with respect to the base 1, which may be accomplished byloosening the bolts 35, setting the bracket to the desired position, andagain tightening the bolts.

The coils formed on the machine of Figs.

*0 3, may be suitably threaded together to make a continuous conveyerbelt, as illustrated in l, wherein a plurality of these coils 36 areshown in their normal relation in a belt. The ends of the coils may besuitably joined by twisting the ends of the wire together, asillustrated at 37. Inasmuch, however, as the particular belt here shownforms the subject matter of my copending application above referred to,details of the belt and its advantages in use will not be given herein,it being understood that the present device is adaptable for formingwire coils of different configurations which may be used for variouspurposes, among which is that of forming conveyer belts for glassannealing lehrs.

Also while I have shown a machine for making wire coils having a righthand twist or pitch, it will be understood that coils having a left handwonnd twist or pitch may be made upon a similar machine includingcorresponding elements and the same manner of operation.

While I have shown and described but one embodiment of my invention, itwill be understood that various changes may be made therein and variousfeatures may have inclividual utility in other combinations. I do notwish to be limited, therefore, except by the scope of the appendedclaims, which are to be construed as broadly as the state of the priorart permits.

1 claim:

1. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising arotary mandrel, means for supporting said mandrel for rotation, anabutment means cooperating with said mandrel, and means movable in adirection substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said mandreland cooperating with said abutment means to shape at least a part ofeach turn of the wire coil to a predetermined form on said mandrel.

2. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for conveyer belt, comprising arotary mandrel upon which the wire is adapted to be wound, means forsupporting said mandrel for rotation, an abutment means cooperating withsaid mandrel, means movable in a direction substantially parallel to theaxis of rotation of said mandrel and cooperating with said abutmentmeans to shape therebetween at least a part of each turn of the coil toa predetermined form on said mandrel, and means for adjustablydetermining the pitch or the coil being formed.

8. Apparatus for iorming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising arotary mandrel about which the wire is adapted to be coiled, meanssupporting said mandrel for rotation,

abutment means not partaking of the rotation of said mandrel butcooperating therewith, and a cam operated pusher member mounted torotate with said mandrel and cooperatingwith said abutment means toshape at least a portion of each turn of the coil being formed to apredetermined shape by movement in a direction parallel to the axis ofrotation of said mandrel.

4. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising arotary mandrel upon which the wire is adapted to be coiled, meansmounting said mandrel for rotation about a fixed axis, abutment meansnot partaking of the rotation of said mandrel but cooperating therewithand continuously contacting with the wire being coiled therealong, a camoperated pusher member mounted for rotation with said mandrel and alsofor movement in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation forperiodically engaging the wire being formed into the coil to shape atleast a portion of each turn thereof to a predetermined ZED form, andmeans for adjustably determining the pitch of the coil being formed. Q

5. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising amandrel flattened on opposite sides about which the coil is adapted tobe wound, means for supporting the mandrel for rotation about a fixedaxis, abutment means for continuously engaging the wire on said mandrelbut not partaking of the rotation thereof, pusher means mounted forrotation with said mandrel and also adapted for movement in a directionparallel to the axisof rotation thereof, and means for moving saidpusher means in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotation of themandrel to force portions of the wire against said abutment means,whereby to form at least 1 part of each turn of the wire into apredetermined form.

6. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising amandrel having at least one flattened side, means for mounting saidmandrel for rotation about a fixed axis, an abutment member for engagingthe wire being coiled upon said mandrel, means for mounting saidabutment member for movement in a direction substantially perpendicularto the axis of rotation of said mandrel, means for resiliently urgingsaid abutment member against said mandrel, pusher means cooperating withsaid mandrel and said abutment member to form at least a por tion ofeach turn of the coil being made into a predetermined shape, means formounting said pusher member with rotation with said mandrel and also formovement in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, and

means for periodically moving said pusher member in a direction parallelto the axis of rotation of said mandrel to engage a portion of the coilopposite said abutment member and thereby to shape such portion of eachturn of the coil into a predetermined form.

7. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising amandrel having at least one flattened side, means for mounting saidmandrel for rotation about a fixed axis, an abutment member for engagingthe wire being coiled upon said mandrel, means for mounting saidabutment member for movement in a direction substantially perpendicularto the axis of rotation of said mandrel, means for resiliently urgingsaid abutment member against said mandrel, pusher means cooperating withsaid mandrel and said abutment member to form at least a portion of eachturn of the coil being made into a predetermined shape, means formounting said pusher means for rotation with said mandrel and also formovement in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation thereof, a camportion rigid with said pusher means, a fixed roller cooperating withsaid cam portion positively to force said pusher tmeans toward saidabutment member to shape a portion of each turn of the coil being formedbetween said pusher means and said abutment member, and resilient meansfor moving said pusher means in the opposite direction to move said camportion toward and against said roller.

8. Apparatus for forming a wire coil :tor a conveyer belt, comprising amandrel having at least one flattened side, means for mounting saidmandrel for rotation about a fixed axis, abutment means continuouslyengaging the wire being coiled upon said mandrel, means for mountingsaid abutment means for movement in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of rotation of said mandrel, resilient meansfor urging said abutment means toward said mandrel, pusher meanscooperating with the flattened side 01" said mandrel, means forsupporting said pusher means for rotation with said mandrel and also formovement in a direc tion parallel to the axis of rotation of saidmandrel, resilient means for moving said pusher means in a directionaway from the wire being coiled upon said mandrel, positive means forpositively moving said pusher means toward the wire being coiled uponsaid mandrel to force a portion of the wire on the flattened side ofsaid mandrel toward said abutment means and thereby to form it into apredetermined shape, and means for adjustably determining the pitch ofthe coil of wire being formed.

9. Apparatus for forming a wire coil for a conveyer belt, comprising amandrel flattened on opposite sides about which the wire is to becoiled, means for mounting said mandrel for rotation about a fixed axis,an abutment member cooperating with said mandrel and adapted at alltimes to be in engagement with a portion of the wire being coiledthereon, pivot means for mounting said abutment for movement about anaxis spaced from but parallel to the axis of rotation of said mandrel,resilient means for urging said abut ment member against said mandrel, apair of pusher members for feeding the formed coils along and off saidmandrel and for forming shaped portions of said coil against saidabutment member, means for mounting said pusher members for rotationwith said mandrel and also for movement in directions parallel to theaxis of rotation thereof, resilient means for moving each of said pushermembers in a direction away from the coil of wire being formed on saidmandrel, cam sectors formed rigid with each of said pusher members, anda fixed cam roller for engaging said cam sectors consecutively to formtwo portions of each turn of said coil into predetermined shapes againstsaid abutment member and also to move said coil along said mandrel as itis formed, and a wire guiding means fixedly but adjustably positionedadjacent to said mandrel for adjustably determining the pitch of thecoil of wire being formed. L

Signed at Keyport, N. J this 11th day of March, 1932.

JOHN C. ANDERSON.

